+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

URGENT - PGWP expiring with no LMIA

Jul 2, 2019
7
0
Hi all,

I am currently on post graduate work permit (PGWP) and it will expire very soon. I thought it could be extended like other permits, since many people mentioned extending their work permit (so stupid of me) and now I realized it needs LMIA. My HR said they will not apply for LMIA as they had bad experience with it before.

I graduated bachelors (4 years) and applied for PGWP (got 3 years) because I got an opportunity to pursue both an internship and a masters thinking it PGWP can be extended...(now after researching more I should have done co-op work permit - which I didn't know at the time).

I now have a full time permanent position but I have only worked 4 months so I am not eligible for EE. I tried OINP Master's stream but it filled up so fast.

So...currently...what options do I have?
1) Closed (employer specific) work permit - if so how, I heard it also needs LMIA...
2) Other options

It sucks that I will have to leave due to my one mistake. Has anyone seen exceptions being with letter of explanation?

Thanks,
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,558
7,195
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hi all,

I am currently on post graduate work permit (PGWP) and it will expire very soon. I thought it could be extended like other permits, since many people mentioned extending their work permit (so stupid of me) and now I realized it needs LMIA. My HR said they will not apply for LMIA as they had bad experience with it before.

I graduated bachelors (4 years) and applied for PGWP (got 3 years) because I got an opportunity to pursue both an internship and a masters thinking it PGWP can be extended...(now after researching more I should have done co-op work permit - which I didn't know at the time).

I now have a full time permanent position but I have only worked 4 months so I am not eligible for EE. I tried OINP Master's stream but it filled up so fast.

So...currently...what options do I have?
1) Closed (employer specific) work permit - if so how, I heard it also needs LMIA...
2) Other options

It sucks that I will have to leave due to my one mistake. Has anyone seen exceptions being with letter of explanation?

Thanks,
A closed work permit requires an LMIA.

There are no exceptions.
 

Copingwithlife

VIP Member
Jul 29, 2018
3,864
1,866
Earth
The IRCC will not give you a closed work permit without a LMIA, it’s the law
A Canadian or PR gets first crack at the job before it being offered to a foreign national
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
20,358
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hi all,

I am currently on post graduate work permit (PGWP) and it will expire very soon. I thought it could be extended like other permits, since many people mentioned extending their work permit (so stupid of me) and now I realized it needs LMIA. My HR said they will not apply for LMIA as they had bad experience with it before.

I graduated bachelors (4 years) and applied for PGWP (got 3 years) because I got an opportunity to pursue both an internship and a masters thinking it PGWP can be extended...(now after researching more I should have done co-op work permit - which I didn't know at the time).

I now have a full time permanent position but I have only worked 4 months so I am not eligible for EE. I tried OINP Master's stream but it filled up so fast.

So...currently...what options do I have?
1) Closed (employer specific) work permit - if so how, I heard it also needs LMIA...
2) Other options

It sucks that I will have to leave due to my one mistake. Has anyone seen exceptions being with letter of explanation?

Thanks,
What country are your from? How old are you?

As others have said, you need an approved LMIA to apply for a closed work permit / employer specific work permit. Other than the OINP Masters immigration stream (which, as you've said, has filled up already), I don't see any other options.

IRCC definitely won't extend your PGWP. That's a non-starter.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
20,358
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
From the Caribbean, I'm 27.
In that case an IEC / Working Holiday Visa isn't an option.

You need an approved LMIA if you want to remain in Canada and continue working.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
20,358
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
What if I have a Taiwanese passport as well. Can I try holiday visa or young professional?
Working Holiday Visa is a no-go. All of the spots are pretty much spoken for at this point and there are still over 2K candidates in the pool waiting for an invitation.

YP is an option if your employer will support it. Depending on when your PGWP is expiring and how soon you are able to get into the YP pool and be selected, you may still have a period where you'll need to stop working between the end of your PGWP and the start of the YP work permit.
 
Jul 2, 2019
7
0
Working Holiday Visa is a no-go. All of the spots are pretty much spoken for at this point and there are still over 2K candidates in the pool waiting for an invitation.

YP is an option if your employer will support it. Depending on when your PGWP is expiring and how soon you are able to get into the YP pool and be selected, you may still have a period where you'll need to stop working between the end of your PGWP and the start of the YP work permit.
Thank you. Would you say to apply for both anyway? Or just YP.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,538
20,358
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Thank you. Would you say to apply for both anyway? Or just YP.
I would focus on YP.

You can submit a profile for WHV, but there's almost no chance you'll be selected.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with the funds and insurance coverage you will need to show. The insurance coverage is mandatory to get the work permit issued at the border (assuming you are selected and approved).
 
Jul 2, 2019
7
0
I would focus on YP.

You can submit a profile for WHV, but there's almost no chance you'll be selected.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with the funds and insurance coverage you will need to show. The insurance coverage is mandatory to get the work permit issued at the border (assuming you are selected and approved).
What kind of insurance coverage would I need? Also, I have a full time permanent position, is it still ok for YP even though it's considered temporary?
 

Aitha

Star Member
Jul 5, 2018
112
18
31
Toronto
Category........
Do you have a work permit and a study permit simultaneously?
I am on study permit now (expires on July 31st). As per new rules, I can apply for PGWP within 180 days from July 31st.
But generally we wont be able to add the experience of this 6 months of EE.
So I wonder can I work on closed workpermit raised by LMIA by my employer in this 6 months and then apply for PGWP?